Sun, Surf and Sand

Knowing we'll get to take a vacation is often what gets us through the work weeks; the idea of getting away from whatever activities normally occupy our attention. That's what vacations are for, right? Taking your mind off the things that run through it from day to day.

And the beach can be the most soothing of places. Soaking up the sun and listening to the waves, while letting your toes sink into the sand. Even when it's chilly, and you have to bundle up in your favorite pair of sweats, the smell of the ocean always seems to make cares and worries disappear.

Because of the carefree feeling I get, it never fails that I lose weight on vacation, despite the ridiculous amounts of food I eat. When I hear the seagulls screeching, the waves crashing and those upbeat calypso tunes, all of my stress seems to melt away. It doesn't get much better than listening to Bob Marley as you watch the salt-watery bubbles creep toward your dry towel.

Everything seems to be a bit more enjoyable during a vacation -- the food, the atmosphere and, more often than not, the weather. Naps on the beach are often the best naps, too. The wind from the ocean, combined with the heat from the sun, usually turns out to be the perfect temperature for a mid-day snooze.

But, sadly, when surrounding yourself with family and friends, and eating as much crab, lobster and shrimp that your tummy can handle, your trip is sure to fly by all too fast. Then we all must head back to reality, whether it be work or school, and build the stress back up so we can melt it off during our vacations to come.

For those who live somewhere that people usually go for vacation, lucky you. I'm sure the sand, surf and sun is no big deal to you, but just know there are some people (like me) who are jealous of your permanently sun-kissed skin and ability to stroll in the sand with a cocktail anytime you wish. But, then again, I've come to accept that it's often better to have the option of leaving after a few days, in order to avoid getting sick of the wonderfulness that is the beach.

When I find myself missing the sandy wonderland, I always look to the lakes and pools of Georgia to bring the fun and melt my stress away. I can just as easily sink my toes in some red, Georgia clay ... or dirt.

So, in the words of the Zac Brown Band, "Put my [butt] in a lawnchair, toes in the clay - not a worry in the world, a PBR on the way. Life is good today. Life is good today."

A Colorful World

Nature is beautiful. During the fall, it brings the countryside engaging colors, pleasing smells and breathtaking scenery.

I love how the leaves choose the day that summer fades into fall (despite the actual calendar day). It's the day the leaves change from greens and browns to oranges, reds and yellows, and when the clouds and fog lightly cover the mountain tops. The day when it becomes a little bit tougher to exercise outside, because the cool air makes it harder on your lungs and muscles.

There are times when I'm walking around outside that I kick myself for not having a camera on me. But when I do, there's no doubt I'll take a million pictures, trying to get the perfect shot of the prettiest trees. My favorites are the ones that are completely covered in vibrant, red leaves, and the ones that are partially yellow and red. Trees like these make a two-hour drive to the mountains or a run around the park more appealing.

Fall air has the best smell, too. Especially after it rains, which it has been a lot lately in Atlanta. The smell reminds me of bonfires, camping trips and holidays of the past, and excites me for those to come.

I find myself trying to get outside as much as I can this time of year, despite my wanting to snuggle up by a fire, because I know that soon winter will be here. Although winter brings beauty of its own, the smell will be completely different, and the leaves will be no more. Plus, I can just snuggle up by a fire then -- when it's too cold to play outside. Hopefully this year the south will actually get some snow. Then maybe we can follow up a colorful autumn with a white winter -- instead of a brown, dead one.

Some feel that beauty is hard to find in ordinary places, but I say you just have to know how to look at it, and distinguish it from the rest.

In the words of Grey Livingston, "Beauty comes as much from the mind as from the eye."

Captain Hook Says it All

After college, most of us venture off into the "real world" and get jobs (or at least try very hard to), but we all know that, when it comes down to it, we'll always be kids at heart. Who honestly doesn't like going to amusement parks or watching cartoons that we used to watch when we were 5?

Growing up isn't easy, but who says you can't return to your childhood every once in a while?

Last night I was flipping through the TV channels and saw that "Aladdin" was on. Excitement built up inside me when I realized it was the classic, 1992 Disney movie, instead of some new, random Aladdin cartoon. I often get the urge to pull out and watch old Disney movies to relieve the stress of trying to find a job in this terrible state of the economy. I still get the fire in my belly to sing every lyric to every song, which of course stay stuck in my head for days after.

Those movies take me back to the days when I had Barbie-themed birthday parties, and the only competition was for who got to be first player on "Mario Brothers" (because everyone knows Mario plays better than Luigi).

Sometimes it's a great feeling forgetting that you have to grow up, become successful and provide for your family. It would be great if there really was a Neverland that we could escape to whenever times get rough -- maybe one without pirates and crocodiles, though.

On a side note, isn't it crazy that instead of playing "I Love Lucy" or "The Andy Griffith Show," Nick at Nite now plays "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Home Improvement?" Thanks Nick at Nite. Way to force me to grow up by telling me all the shows I watched when I was younger belong on the channel the black and white shows used to be on.

So, in the words of Captain Hook, "Growing up is such a barbarous business, full of inconvenience ... and pimples." And I will forever be a kid at heart.

Football Frenzy

Crisp, autumn air is here, and that can only mean one thing. Football season. I don't know what it is, but there's something about this time of year that brings a smile to my face. Maybe it's the gathering of friends over cold beverages, or the dressing up in the colors of your alma mater. Whatever the case, whatever the team, whatever the score, the weekends never fall short of amazing.

I've only sat in three SEC stadiums thus far -- Jordan-Hare, Sanford, and Neyland (Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee consecutively for those who don't know). The weird thing is, I attended a game at Sanford before I was in college, Jordan-Hare all throughout college and Neyland once I'd graduated from college. Even so, no matter the stadium, or really even who I sat next to, the experience was unforgettable.

Tailgating is an experience all it's own. I'm sure it's the same with any school, but there's something to be said when you walk into that overcrowded amphitheater on Auburn's campus, where the music's blasting and the beer flows like the Chattahoochee. When you look around and see those orange and blue tents, surrounded by people and animals alike, you can't help but love being on the plains.

And then the band starts to play. Everyone gets silent, and you feel the goosebumps rise on your arms as you start to jump and scream the fight song. This, besides academics of course, is what college is all about. Sitting in that stadium with your best friends around you, cheering on your favorite football studs.

Then, by the time it becomes freezing outside, even in the south, the season comes to a close. But we all go on with our lives, and start the countdown until the first game of next year.

The best part about football is that it never gets old. Even after college is over; when you go to the games, it's like you never left. The teams always surprise you, and there's new players and new rankings every year. And the match-ups are just as exciting as the season before. I've come to realize that I will probably forever attend Auburn football games.

Fact: I love football.

Fact: You may not, and I'm sorry.

Warning: There will probably be additional, and possibly more specific, blogs about Auburn football.

So, two words can sum up basically this entire blog, but what fun would that be? I'll just add them now ... War Eagle.

Halloween Costume Craze

Halloween is right around the corner, and the pressure of finding the perfect costume is on. For boys it's usually easy -- something satirical or even offensive. But for girls, usually there's a need to feel sexy -- to draw everyone's eye.

It seems a little silly, but this pressure hits me hard every year. So what will it be? A pirate? A superhero? A firefighter? Who knows. One thing I know is that it has to be something special, and something that no one else will have on, which is virtually impossible.

It doesn't help that I'm pretty picky either. I always want a costume that stands out in the crowd, but doesn't keep people guessing. I hate when people have to ask, "What are you?" And I want to look cute, not slutty. I usually turn to Halloween Express, Target and many other reliable stores and sites during my costume-shopping stress, but this year it looks like I probably won't be going past my own closet and Google.

So, despite all this pressure to be different during this crazy holiday, I'll probably break down and wear something unoriginal. Costumes are just too expensive these days. A friend of mine once said that there should be Halloween costume consignment shops. I personally think this is a great idea. Although most seasonal Halloween shops allow you to rent costumes, with consignment shops, there's the possibility of getting some money back.

Does anybody have any cute, cheap costume ideas? I'd love to hear them!